Community Garden Update

We've focused on learning how to garden this year in our Community Garden--and have grown rich in experience. That focus, on learning, observing, and hands-on research, was done to prepare us for the up-coming fall gardening season, and next year when the focus will shift to production.

One major learning so far is that organic solutions for killing bugs aren't very effective. We've used BT, Neems, and homemade concoctions like mixtures of chewing tobacco and Ivory soap to kill bugs like Japanese beetles and aphids. They don't work very well. Consequently, we've had disappointing zucchini and acorn squash experiences, and green beans have been effected as well.

Some organic growers use chickens to keep bugs down, and others use traps of various design. since we are unlikely to run a flock of chickens any time soon we'll try and locate traps and see how they work. We may also want to consider some semi-organic approaches (if there is such a thing). In the mean time we'll keep on squashing and smashing the little bug-gers when we see them.

The soil in our garden is also poor. We've had it tested and it needs a couple of big jolts of nitrogen and other compounds. Since this is not the best time to add stuff to the dirt (because of the heat and growing cycle) we make the proper adjustments when it cools down a bit this fall. In the mean time, if anyone can donate some composted manure we will be very grateful.

There are some beautiful flowers growing in the garden and they are attracting bees and other pollinators. Hyacinth beans are also growing along the western fence line and make colorful and tasty additions to salads. Please feel free to pick them. Tomatoes are doing well and we encourage everyone to stop by and pick as many as you can use: there are four varieties growing and each has a distinct shape and taste-character. Sweet potatoes are growing nicely and, unless critters get them we should have an abundant crop for our Thanksgiving dinners.

Between now and cooler weather (probably mid-September) we'll be working on preparing beds for planting fall crops leafy vegetables like lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, and so on. We may also plant carrots and maybe leeks if we can find seeds or starts. Our aim is to keep the garden in production until at least Christmas.

The hot, dry weather has not been terrific for growing; weeds thrive in such conditions of course, but just about everything else suffers and stutters. But that is a thing to learn as well, and we thank God for giving us the brains to be interested in such things. It is all good.